Whilst homelessness is particularly poignant at Christmas, it is of the utmost importance that homelessness becomes a year-round priority

Ricky Rowledge

"This money will be an important step towards allowing the most vulnerable and isolated in our society an enjoyable Christmas and New Year, despite surviving in what are often harrowing circumstances."

Ms Rowledge added that homelessness remained a "profound problem" in Northern Ireland.

She said recent Northern Ireland Housing Executive statistics suggested that there had been a 23% increase in homelessness over the past year.

Ms Rowledge added: "Whilst homelessness is particularly poignant at Christmas, it is of the utmost importance that homelessness becomes a year-round priority."

In March 2001, 12,694 people presented themselves as homeless in the province, according to the Northern Ireland Housing Executive.

'Poverty trap'

Last year, the social development minister allocated £30,000 to projects helping homeless people.

Organisations which benefited included Belfast Womens' Aid, the Simon Community, the Lee Hestia Association, Foyle Homeless Action and Advice Service, Edward St Hostel and the Salvation Army.

Meanwhile, members of SDLP Youth have been involved in a campaign to highlight the problem of homelessness in the province.

The nationalist party gave out leaflets to shoppers in Belfast and Londonderry last week.

SDLP Youth chair Mealla Bratton said: "It is a terrible shame that our society tolerates homelessness and it is particularly relevant in Northern Ireland which has, proportionally, the highest numbers of homeless in the UK.

"It is indicative of the greater problem of the poverty trap, that prevents the homeless and others from gaining employment, that we see these increasing numbers of homeless people."